(CNN) - A source close to Maria Shriver tells CNN it would be a mistake to assume that the former California first lady is a wreck in the wake of revelations of her husband's infidelity.

"It's a misperception that Maria is adrift, that she's lost trying to figure out where to go next," this source says, adding, "This is an empowered woman. Even her decision to leave (her husband, Arnold Schwarzenegger) was the choice of an empowered woman who knows where she's going and what she wants in life."FULL POST

Washington (CNN) – Haley Barbour's exit from the GOP presidential sweepstakes leaves his endorsement and donors up for grabs. "He's a campaign without a candidate," says GOP strategist Alex Castellanos. And those who know Barbour expect him to take sides in the GOP primary.

"I doubt Barbour will sit on the sidelines for this," one top Republican strategist tells CNN, who points out Barbour didn't endorse anyone in the 2008 presidential primary and later regretted it. This person adds, "Now he's a free agent," but don't expect anything immediate.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine is planning to announce he will run in 2012 for the Virginia U.S. Senate seat currently held by fellow Democrat Jim Webb, who is retiring, two senior Democratic sources told CNN on Sunday.

One source said Kaine's announcement will come in the next two weeks.FULL POST

WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Barack Obama plans to send supporters a text or e-mail message with a video announcing his intention to run for re-election, multiple Democratic sources tell CNN.

The message could come as early as Monday morning. The sources say his campaign team also hopes to file papers with the Federal Election Commission Monday to launch his 2012 re-election campaign.FULL POST

(CNN) - In a recent interview on Fox Business Network, potential Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee called it “unconscionable” that President Obama would allow American servicemen and women to serve in a NATO mission helmed by a non-American.

“I don’t believe there was (sic) ever a point at which U.S. troops should be getting their orders from someone who is not sworn to uphold the same Constitution,” the former Arkansas governor said.

Sarah Palin seemed to second that, telling Fox’s Greta Van Susteren, “Are we really going to turn over command and control to the Arab League and to the British and the French? And when do we reclaim our command and control over our troops?”

We asked a handful of experts if American service members are taking orders from non-Americans.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - "If he doesn't have a good explanation he should go," Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said of President Obama's Director of National Intelligence, in an exclusive interview with CNN Friday.

Pawlenty, a possible Republican presidential contender, was reacting to Director James Clapper's testimony before a House panel Thursday. Clapper described the Islamic group the Muslim Brotherhood as "a very heterogeneous group, largely secular, which has eschewed violence and decried Al Qaeda as a perversion of Islam."FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - Kentucky Senator Rand Paul is standing up for his Dad. In an interview with CNN he said Donald Trump will regret taking a dig at Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, during his address to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) gathering.

In his first public address to CPAC Donald Trump said Rep Ron Paul of Texas "has zero chance of being elected" president. The crowd, filled with Ron Paul supporters, booed loudly. (Trump got a very friendly reception, Paul diss aside.)FULL POST